Variable pitch end wings for bulldozers



1 D. DUKE VARIABLE PITCH END WINGS FOR BULLDOZERS July 8, 1958 Filed March 26, 1956 0 WM 4. 2 M n. v v v mm, o P

nited States Patent VARIABLE PITCH END WiiNGS FOR BULLDOZERS Edward D. Dulre, Chicago, llL, assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application March 26, 1956, Serial No. 573,679

6 Claims. c1. s7--14s This invention relates to earth moving equipment and more particularly to a bulldozer. More specifically the invention relates to an improvement in end wings for bulldozers.

The prime object of this invention is to provide an improved bulldozer having a greatly increased working capacity.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide laterally spaced end wings for a bulldozer whereby the volume of earth handled by the bulldozer is greatly increased.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pair of laterally spaced end wings for a bulldozer, the said wings being angularly movable or pitchable to a number of positions relative to the bulldozer.

A still further object is to provide angularly adjustable bulldozer wings, the pitch of which may be easily and quickly adjusted so that the lower edges of the wings may be positioned at any desired angle with respect to the ground independent of the blade pitch of the bulldozer.

A still further object is to provide pitchable end wings for bulldozers, the said wings including improved locking means adapted to lock the wings in a number of positions relative to the angle of the bulldozer.

Still another object is the provision 'of an improved construction for supporting a pair of end wings on a bulldozer, the said construction including means for locking the bulldozer wings in a number of positions and for securing the said wings against laterally directed end thrusts.

These and further objectswill become more readily apparent from a reading of the description when examined in connection with the accompany drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view looking into the from earth engaging portions of a bulldozer having end wings connected thereto;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a bulldozer incorporating end wings, the said view showing various angular positions at which the end wings may be con nected;

Figure 3 is a perspective, exploded, view showing in detail a locking mechanism for adjustably securing an end wing to a bulldozer; and

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of a heel portion of a bulldozer showing one of the improved guide elements for securing an end wing to the bulldozer.

Referring now particularly to Figure 1, an earth moving device or bulldozer blade is generally designated by the reference character 10. The earth moving device It) comprises a generally conventional curved moldboard 11 having along its rear lower end a heel portion 11. Side plates 12 (only one of which is shown) are suitably connected to opposite ends of the curved moldboard 11. The upper portion of the moldboard 11 has connected thereto a structural supporting or reinforcing member 13. The lower portion of the moldboard 11 is provided with a scraping or cutting blade 14, suitably connected to the moldbcard ice j by means of securing members 15. Removable cutting end bits 16 (only one of which is shown) are removably fastened to opposite ends of the lower portion of the boldboard 11, adjacent the cutting blade 14, by means of removable securing members 11.

A pair of material confining members, or end wings 18, are positoned in laterally spaced relation at opposite ends of the bulldozer blade 10. The end wings 183 are material confining members in the sense that the increase the ca pacity of the bulldozer by permitting a larger amount of material to be moved ahead of the dozen blade. Each end wing 18 comprises a rather thick and heavy vertical wall 19 having at its forward or leading end a cutting blade supporting block 20 welded to members 19. The supporting blocks 20 suitably support vertical cutting blades 22 removably connected to said blocks Ed by means of nuts 21 and bolts 23.

Each of the end bits 16 is provided with a shaft 2 which projects laterally outwardly from the curved moldboard 11. Each shaft 24 extends through an opening 25 formed in one of the end wings 13. The openings 25 in effect provide journal means whereby the end wings llii may be journaled or pivoted on the shafts M for limited pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially parallel to the moldboard 11. Concentric with each opening 2.5, in each end wing 18, is an enlarged bore as into which each shaft 24 projects. The end wings 18 are retained on the shafts 24 by means of an enlarged washer 27, of larger diameter than the opening 25, each of the washers 27 being rigidly secured to the shafts 24 by means of set screws 28. Thus the dozer wings may be pivoted relative to the moldboard 11 and the washers Z7 securely lock the end wings 13 against relative thrust directed outwardly from inside the dozer blade,

it is thus apparent that the end wings may be moved auguiarly with respect to the normally upright position of the moldboard During operation of the bulldozer the blades 1% may be locked in a number of relatively angularly adjusted positions by means of a pair of laterally spaced locking mechanisms generally desi by the reference character 29, best shown in F 1. e 3. Each locking mechanism 29 comprises a bracket 3t? rigidly connected to the upper edge of the wall ii Each bracket provided with an inwardly positioned serrated face having an elongated slot 32 Laterally spaced tJ- shaped brackets 33 are securely connected to opposite ends of the supporting member 13. Each bracket 33 is provided with a block 34 having a transversely extending bore As best shown in Figure 3, a pivot block 36 as. is adapted to be journaled within the bore 35. Each pivot block 36 is provided with a serrated face 37 adapted to engage the serrated face 31 of each bracket 30. A large washer 3.3 is adapted to engage the inward face of each block 34, the assembly being suitably connected together by means of lock washers 39 which are securely held in position by means of bolts 46. The bolts 40 extend through the slot 32 through openings at. and through suitable openings provided in the e washer Nuts 4i connected to the screws suitably connect the brackets 3t) and 33 in assembly.

A. pair of laterally spaced guide ablyconnected to the heel portion it. The guide members 42 have Each of the wingsid is provided with a rearwsrdly extending tJ-shsped arm having hook end embracing a guide member The moldboard A may, of course, bepositioned in a members 42 are suitli' of the moldbosrd number of inclined positions depending upon the type of connection to the boom structure and the vehicle to which it is attached. In certain instances angular positioning of the end wings is desired relative to the meidbosrd 113,.

a curved surface 3.

To provide for angular adjustment of each Wing 18 independently of each other and With respect to the moldboard 11, it is a simple matter to simply loosen the nuts (if-l whereupon the pivot blocks are moved out of engagement with respect to the serrated face 31 of the bracket thereby permitting angular or pivotal disposition of the end wing relative to the moldboard 11. When the desired angle is achieved, it is a simple matter to merely tighten the nuts ll to again lock the end wing ii -position.

The adjustable pitch features allows the lower of the wing to be disposed at any desired angle with respect to the ground and independently of the blade'pitch. This greatly aids in the operation of the bulldozer when it is used for scraping, leveling, or in the dumpiugover elevated banks. Furthermore, the leading edge blades 22 increase the cutting action of the bulldozer and permit side cut in an effective manner. By virtue of the end wings much larger quan ities of earth may be moved by the bulldozer ahead of the bulldozer blade. Thus the working effectiveness of the bulldozer is greatly increased.

The locking construction 29 and pivotal arrangement effected by the shafts 24- and fastening means 26, 27 and 2% permit quick removal of the wings relative to the moldboard. Endwise thrust directed outwardly from inside the wings is ezlcctively absorbed by the shafts 24 and fastening means as, 2'7 and The guide members 4-2 also serve to further resist such endwise thrust, the thrust forces directed inwardly against the end Wings 13 from banks, piles of earth, etc. tending to force the said wings inwardly. shaped arms 44 with respect to thecurved surfaces 43 serves to resist such inwardly directed endwise thrust. This is true despite the various angular positions at which the end wings may be positioned in view of the fact that the U-shaped arms follow along the contour of the curved surfaces 43 of the guide members 42.

It is contemplated, also, that the end wings may be equally adapted to bullgrader moldboards. In bullgradcrs the moldboard is generally tiltableabout a horizontal axis and also a transverse axis and the end wings, instead of being parallel to the horizontal axis of the moldboard, may be positioned in angular relation with respect to said horizontal axis. The function of the wings in bullgradcrs, however, will remain as heretofore described.

It is thus apparent that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved and that an improved bulldozer con struction has been disclosed. it must be understood that changes and modifications may be made without dcparting from the spirit of the invention as disclosed or the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an earth moving scraper comprising a curved moldboard adapted to operate in a substantially vertical position, a cutting blade connected to a lower portion of said moldboard, end bits respectively connected to opposite ends of said cutting blade and a supporting member connected to an upper portion of said moldboard; end wings connected to laterally spaced opposite ends of said moldboard, each wing comprising a vertical wall pro jecting forwardly of said moldboard, a leading edge on each wing including a replaceable blade connected to said Wing, means pivotally supporting each wing on said moldboard about a horizontal axis comprising a shaft connected to and projecting laterally outwardly from said end bits, each wing including a journal portion pivoted on one of said shafts, means adjustably connecting each Wing in a number of pivoted positions relative to said moldboard comprising a first serrated bracket on each wing, second brackets connected to said supporting member, each second bracket including an adjustable serrated member, adjustable means engaging said serrated member and said first bracket to lock the same in a number of positions relative to said first bracket whereby each wing may be locked in angular relation in a number-of The trapped engagement of the U- Cit positions relative to said moldboard, means supporting cachof'said wings against endwise thrustincluding curved guide members connected to opposite ends of a rear portion of said moldboard, and lJ-shaped arms engaging 1'd guide members and adapted to slide relative thereto (1 .ring pivotal movement of said wings.

2. In an earth moving scraper comprising a curved moldboard adapted to operate in a substantially vertical position, a cutting blade connected to a lower portion of said .n'icldboard, end bits respectively connected to opposite ends of said cutting blade and a supporting member connected to an upper portion of said moldboard; end wings :connected to laterally spaced opposite ends of said moldboard, each wing comprising a vertical wall projecting forwardly of said moldboard, a leading edge on each wing including a replaceable blade connected to said wing, means pivotally supporting each wing on said moldboard about a horizonaal axis comprising ashaft connected to andprojecting'laterally outwardlyfrom said end wbits, each wing including a journal portion pivoted on one ofsaid shafts, means adjustably connecting each wing in a number of pivoted positions relative to said moldboard comprising a first bracket on each wing, second brackets connected to said supporting member, adjustable means engaging said brackets to lock each wing in angular relation in a number of positions relative to said moldboard, means supporting each 'of said wings against endwise thrust including curved guide members connected to opposite ends of a rear portion of said moldboard, and U-shaped arms engaging said guide members and adapted to slide relative thereto during pivotal movement of said wings.

3. In an earth moving scraper comprising a moldboard adapted to operate in a substantially vertical position, a cutting blade connected to a lower portion of said'moldboard and end bits respectively connected to opposite ends of said cutting blade; end wings connected to laterally spaced opposite ends of said moldboard, cach'wiug comprising a vertical wall projecting forwardly of said moldboard, a leading edge on each wing including a blade connected to said wing, means pivotally supporting each wing on said moldboard about a horizontal axis comprising a shaft connected to and projecting laterally outwardly from said end bits, each wing including a journal portion pivoted on one of said shafts, means adjustably connecting each Wing in a number of pivoted positions relative to said n1oldboard,.means supporting each of said wings against endwise thrust including curved guide members connected to opposite ends :of a rear portion of said moldboard, and U-shaped arms engaging said guide members and adapted to slide relative thereto during pivotal movement of said wings.

4. In an earth moving scraper comprising a moldboard adapted to operate in a substantially vertical position, and a cutting blade connected to a. lower portion of said moldboard; end Wings connected to laterally spaced opposite ends of said moldboard, each wing comprising a vertical wall projecting forwardly of said moldboard, means pivotally supporting each wing of said moldboard about a. horizontal axis comprising a shaft connected 'to and projecting laterally outwardly from said moldboard, each wing including a journal portion pivoted on one of said shafts, means on said wings engaging said moldboard for locking said wings in a number ofpivoted positions relative to said moldboard, means supporting each of said wings against endwise thrust including curved guide members connected to opposite ends of a rear portion of said moldboard, and arms engaging said guide members and adapted to slide relative thereto during pivotal movement of said wings.

5. In an earth moving scraper comprising amoldboard adapted to operate in a substantially vertical position, and a cutting blade connected to'a'lower porti'onof said moldboard; end wings connected to laterally'spaced opposite ends of said moldboard, each wing comprising a vertical wall projecting forwardly of said moldboard, means pivotally supporting each Wing on said moldboard about a horizontal axis, HlCLlilS on said Wings engaging said moldboard for locking said wings in a number of pivoted positions relative to'said moldboard, means supporting each of said wings against endwise thrust including guide members connected to opposite ends of a rear portion of said mold'ooard, and U-shaped means on said Wings engaging said guide members and adapted to slide relative thereto during pivotal movement of said wings.

6. In an earth moving scraper comprising a moldboard adapted to operate in a substantially vertical position, and a cutting blade connected to a lower portion of said moldboard; end wings connected to laterally spaced opposite ends of said moldboard, each wing comprising a vertical wall projecting forwardly of said moldboard, means pivotally supporting each wing on said moldboard about a horizontal axis comprising a shaft connected to and projecting laterally outwardly from said moldboard, each wing including a journal portion pivoted on one of said shafts, nicans on said Wings engaging said moldboard for locking said Wings in a number of pivoted positions relative to said nloldboard, means supporting each of said wings against endwise thrust including guide members connected to opposite ends of a rear portion of said moldboard, said guide members projecting rearwardly with respect to said moldboard; and arms projecting rearwardly With respect to said moldboard and engaging said guide members, said arms being adapted to slide relative to said guide members during pivotal movement of said wings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 802,743 Every Oct. 24, 1905 1,466,464 Beatty Aug. 28, 1923 2,732,639 Lillengreen Jan. 31, 1956 

